Insulation displacement connector for flat cable

Abstract

An insulation displacement connector is disclosed which is particularly adapted for use with flat cable having closely spaced conductors. The termination end of each contact in the connector is partially bent about a vertical axis providing an intermediate curved portion and a pair of elongated side edges. The side edges of each contact engage a conductor of the cable at two longitudinally spaced locations thereon while the intermediate curved portion of the contact, which is preferably coated with an insulation material, supports the adjacent conductor of the cable.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrical connector for a plurality of generally parallel conductors covered by insulation comprising: an insulator;   a plurality of contacts mounted in a row in said insulator spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said conductors, each said contact having a termination end extending outwardly from a surface of said insulator;   the termination end of each said contact being only partially bent about an axis perpendicular to said surface providing an intermediate bent portion and a pair of elongated side edges;   said bent portions of at least some of said contacts facing in the same direction in said row;   said side edges of each said contact being shaped to displace said insulation and engage a respective conductor at two longitudinally spaced locations when the conductors are pushed downwardly between said rear termination ends of said contacts; and   alternate contacts in said row being offset laterally to provide a staggered row of contacts, one side edge of each said offset contact being generally aligned with the bent portion of the next adjacent contacts.   
     
     
       2. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 including: an insulation coating on the outer surface of the bent portion of each said contact for assuring electrical isolation of adjacent conductors.   
     
     
       3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said bent portion of each said contact has an arcuate configuration and said side edges are defined by sharp corners.   
     
     
       4. An electrical connector cable assembly comprising: an insulator;   a plurality of contacts mounted in a row in said insulator, each said contact having a termination end extending outwardly from a surface of said insulator;   a flat cable having a plurality of parallel conductors covered by insulation;   said flat cable being mounted over said termination ends of said contacts with its conductors extending perpendicular to said row and with individual conductors lying between adjacent contacts;   the termination end of each said contact having a bowed configuration in transverse section providing a pair of elongated side edges and an intermediate bent portion, said bent portions of said contacts all facing in the same direction in said row;   at least one of said side edges of each said contact displacing insulation of said flat cable and engaging a respective conductor thereof on one side of said conductor;   an insulation coating on the outer surface of the bent portion of each said contact for assuring electrical isolation of adjacent conductors of said cable; and   the spacing lengthwise of said row between said one side edge of one contact and the outer surface of the bent portion of the next adjacent contact being slightly less than the cross-section of the cable conductor therebetween whereby said bent portion engages and laterally supports said conductor.   
     
     
       5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein: both side edges of each said contact engages a respective conductor of said flat cable.   
     
     
       6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein: alternate contacts in said row are offset laterally to provide a staggered row of contacts, said one side edge of each said offset contact being generally aligned with the bent portion of the next adjacent contacts.   
     
     
       7. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein: the termination end of each said contact comprises a single tine.   
     
     
       8. An electrical connector for a plurality of generally parallel conductors covered by insulation comprising: an insulator;   a plurality of contacts mounted in a row in said insulator spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said conductors, each said contact having a termination end extending outwardly from a surface of said insulator;   the termination end of each said contact being only partially bent about an axis perpendicular to said surface providing an intermediate bent portion and a pair of elongated side edges;   said bent portions of at least some of said contacts facing in the same direction in said row;   one of said side edges of each said contact being shaped to displace said insulation and engage said conductor when the conductors are pushed downwardly between said rear termination ends of said contacts; and   alternate contacts in said row are offset laterally to provide a staggered row of contacts, said one side edge of each said offset contact being generally aligned with the bent portion of the next adjacent contacts.